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“Your Honor,” the district attorney stated, “we will prove that West committed a felony, resulting in a 530-point loss.”

“Proceed,” said the judge.

“East doubled North’s one club for takeout, and when South bid one heart, West came in with one spade on two jacks and two queens, including a wasted queen of clubs. Later, East doubled South’s three hearts, thinking West might produce one defensive trick.”

“What happened?” the judge asked.

“West led the queen and jack of diamonds, and East overtook and led a third diamond. South ruffed, cashed the A-K of trumps, led a club to dummy and ruffed a diamond. He led a club to dummy and returned a club. East discarded; he couldn’t gain by ruffing since South would discard his losing spade.

“South ruffed,” the DA went on, “led a spade to the ace and returned dummy’s last club. No matter what East did, South would score one more trump trick and nine tricks in all. That’s what West got for bidding on trash.”

“My client did nothing wrong,” West’s counsel roared. “He only ‘supported’ the spades that East’s double of one club implied.”

“West is innocent,” the judge ruled. “His bid of one spade was light, but if he doesn’t compete, he may not get another chance. Arrest East. His double of three hearts had more to lose than to gain. Moreover, he could beat the contract by shifting (to anything) at Trick Three.”

East’s actual defense gave South a vital ruff and let him succeed with a “coup en passant.”